Singer Stu brings his Facebook gig into people’s living rooms to raise money for Portsmouth Foodbank

Stu Madgwick, 39, is well known around the city’s pub and club scene, but with people housebound due to self-isolation and social distancing, the popular performer has been bringing his music into people’s living rooms thanks to the power of social media.

Last week, Stu raised £650 for the NHS as people donated throughout his two-and-a-half hour show. On Friday (April 10) at 7pm he is hosting another Facebook Live concert to raise money for the foodbank and to celebrate friend and charity worker, Debbie Smith’s birthday.

Debbie, who is the key circle of support worker at the Kings Church based foodbank, approached Stu to help raise funds after stocks began to run low ‘due to unprecedented demand’ since the pandemic took hold.

‘Between March 6 and April 6 we have fed 835 people, including 346 children. This is triple the amount of meals we would normally provide. This has placed a real strain on our stocks and we are very low on tinned tomatoes, vegetables, milk an juice,’ she said.

Due to current restrictions on movement the charity has also recruited more volunteers to ensure parcels are delivered to people’s homes.

Debbie added: ‘Many people are now in need due to lost earnings and self-isolation while others are simply too scared to go out. People have come forward to volunteer as delivery drivers to ensure food gets to where it’s needed.’

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After hearing about the foodbank’s plight, Stu was only to keen to offer his services.

Stu said: ‘I was staggered by the response to last week’s concert and so anything I can do to help raise money for the foodbank then I’m happy to help out. I will be doing a Bill Withers tribute as well as Motown classics but people can put their requests in through Facebook.

‘As long as people keep asking for songs then I will keep singing.’

The living room gig will also mark dedicated Debbie’s 50th birthday – she had planned to go to London for afternoon team with best friend, Karen Faithfull. As well as raising much needed funds, Debbie and Stu hope the concert can help ‘raise people’s spirits’.

Debbie said: ‘Everyone’s just so low at the moment and hopefully this can help people not to feel so alone and to feel better about the current situation.’

Stu added: ‘Last week’s concert seemed to really cheer people up. People posted they had been able to have a drink and sing along in their living rooms.’

To enjoy the concert go to Stu’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/stumadg where there’s a link to the charity’s GoFundMe page. Anyone who would like donate food items can do so by going to http://portsmouth.foodbank.org.uk

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